Crispy on the outside and packed with flavour, this Herby Chicken Pesto Pizza combines a soft Greek yoghurt pizza base with a vibrant homemade pesto sauce, and plenty of colourful vegetables. It’s a simple, family-friendly meal that proves pizza can absolutely have a place in a balanced lifestyle.
The combination of fresh herbs, grilled chicken, courgette and roasted peppers creates a delicious balance of flavours. While the homemade green pesto adds a fresh and vibrant twist.
Why This Recipe Works
➡️ This recipe is a great example of how pizza can absolutely fit within a balanced lifestyle. Rather than labelling foods as “good” or “bad”, small tweaks such as using a Greek yoghurt base, increases protein. Helping create a meal that is both satisfying and nourishing.
➡️ The homemade green pesto is where this recipe really shines. Combining basil, mint, spinach and peas creates a vibrant sauce that’s rich in plant compounds, including polyphenols, lutein, zeaxanthin and chlorophyll. These compounds are responsible for many of the colours we see in plants and may help protect our cells against oxidative stress.
➡️ Adding peas to the pesto isn’t just a clever way to boost the volume of the sauce. Peas are a source of fibre, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese. Plus also contributing a subtle sweetness that balances the freshness of the herbs.
➡️ Fresh herbs do more than add flavour. Basil contains aromatic compounds such as eugenol, whilst mint is rich in rosmarinic acid. Together, they create a unique flavour profile that helps reduce the reliance on excess salt.
➡️ Grilled chicken provides high-quality protein and all nine essential amino acids, including leucine. Which plays a particularly important role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
➡️ The Greek yoghurt dough is made with just two ingredients, yet it produces a soft and satisfying pizza base. Greek yoghurt naturally contains protein, calcium, vitamin B12 and iodine. All of which play important roles in supporting bone health, energy metabolism and normal thyroid function.
➡️ Extra virgin olive oil provides predominantly monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid. Olive oil is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and is also rich in naturally occurring compounds called polyphenols, which contribute to its distinctive flavour.
➡️ Courgettes and red peppers provide a variety of vitamins and antioxidants. Red peppers are particularly rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, while courgettes contribute smaller amounts of potassium and folate.
➡️ The fat from the mozzarella and olive oil may also help increase the absorption of fat-soluble compounds like beta-carotene and vitamin K. It’s a reminder that nutrients don’t work in isolation and that balanced meals often work best when foods are eaten together.
Herby Chicken Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line one or two baking trays with baking parchment.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt until a dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2–3 minutes until smooth and no longer sticky.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions.
- Add the basil, mint, spinach, extra virgin olive oil, cashews, frozen peas, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt and black pepper to a food processor.
- Blend until smooth. If the pesto is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Thinly slice the courgette and red pepper.
- If not already cooked, season the chicken breast with a little salt and pepper and grill or pan-fry until cooked through. Allow to cool slightly before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Roll each dough ball into a medium-sized pizza (approximately 20–22cm in diameter) and place onto the prepared baking trays.
- Spread a generous layer of the herby pesto over each base, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Top evenly with the mozzarella, courgette slices, red pepper and grilled chicken pieces.
- Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and season with black pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and scatter over the fresh rocket.
- Slice each pizza and serve immediately. These are best enjoyed fresh but can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.
